Ex-Cat Davender pleads guilty to theft charges in Harrison

Former University of Kentucky basketball player Ed Davender pleaded guilty Tuesday in Harrison Circuit Court to three counts of theft by deception in a UK basketball ticket scam.

Davender received placement in a diversion program, which is much like probation, for five years. The three felony convictions will be wiped from his record if he completes the conditions of his diversion program — that includes repaying Harrison County insurance agent James Rose $2,110. If Davender doesn't complete the diversion program, he could receive two years in prison, Harrison Commonwealth's Attorney Douglas Miller said.

Davender was indicted in November in Harrison Circuit Court on the theft by deception charges stemming from incidents that occurred May 7, June 17 and Aug. 27, 2004, Harrison Circuit clerk Kathy Kearns said.

Miller said the diversion program was allowed by the court because Davender did not have a felony record and the arrangement was acceptable to the victim.

Davender and former UK basketball player Derrick Miller have been accused of running separate scams in several counties by taking money from people, promising in return to give them UK basketball tickets they did not have available to sell.